Mission

The Clerk of the Circuit Court is a constitutional officer required by the Constitution of Virginia and elected by the citizens of Isle of Wight County. The office was established in colonial times to preserve and make accessible to the public important records, such as deeds, wills, and other documents relating to the ownership of real estate and court records.

Today the Clerk and staff perform multiple duties that in many states are divided among several government offices. The Code of Virginia lists over 800 responsibilities and duties for the Clerk. The variety of duties include the following: public safety, court services, recorder of deeds, probate, custodian of court cases, public services, preservation of historic records, and keeper of election ballots.

The Clerk’s Office records deeds, wills, civil suits, financing statements and other documents relating to real estate and civil cases. It is also the administrative office for the Circuit Court and serves as support for Circuit Court Judges. Our judicial responsibilities are keeping both the active and concluded court dockets, and make arrangements necessary for trial of both civil and criminal cases. The Clerk’s Office issues subpoenas for witnesses, draws jurors, sets trial dates and attends trials to obtain the facts for writing court orders reflecting the result of the cases. The Clerk’s Office dockets judgments, and collects fines and costs

Other duties include issuing marriage licenses, hunting and fishing licenses, and passports; administering notary oaths and oaths of all County appointed officials and elected officials, and recording liens and releases.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Continue to provide the services necessary as Keeper of the Records

Continue to support the Circuit Court Judges

Continue to provide such services as the public requires and expects

Continue to improve and add new technology and computer programs to enhance the record keeping for the general public and users of the systems

The Clerk’s Office is open weekdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. You may contact the Clerk’s Office using the information below.